Oahu Schools, State, City Offices Close as Heavy Rain Moves In

Closures aim to protect public safety amid flood concerns across the island

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:05am

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, depicting a heavy rainstorm sweeping across the island of Oahu. The scene uses deep perspective and dramatic lighting to convey the overwhelming scale and power of the weather, with only faint outlines of buildings and infrastructure visible through the torrential downpour.A powerful storm system brings heavy rain and the threat of flooding to the Hawaiian island of Oahu, prompting widespread closures to protect public safety.Wahiawa Today

All state offices and public schools on Oahu, as well as nonessential City and County of Honolulu offices and services, are closed today in anticipation of heavy rain across the island. The closures were ordered by Governor Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi to allow families to focus on staying safe and support emergency operations, as the state continues to recover from back-to-back storm systems.

Why it matters

Hawaii has been hit by a series of powerful Kona low storm systems in recent weeks, leaving the ground saturated and increasing the risk of flash flooding. The closures are a precautionary measure to protect public safety and ensure emergency responders can effectively address any weather-related incidents.

The details

The closures affect state offices including the Judiciary, University of Hawaii campuses, public schools and public charter schools, and state Department of Education offices on Oahu. The state Legislature, which is currently in session, will continue operations. All city offices, services, and facilities like parks, zoos, and golf courses are also closed, while emergency shelters have been opened across the island. Transportation networks may face significant disruptions, with potential road closures, traffic signal outages, and transit delays.

  • The closures are in effect for Monday, April 10, 2026.
  • The state of Hawaii has been recovering from back-to-back Kona low storm systems that began last month.

The players

Josh Green

The Governor of Hawaii, who ordered the state office and school closures.

Rick Blangiardi

The Mayor of Honolulu, who ordered the city office and service closures.

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency

The state agency providing preparedness guidance and information to the public.

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What they’re saying

“The safety of our residents and families must come first. With the ground saturated from back-to-back storms that began last month, we are taking this situation extremely seriously.”

— Josh Green, Governor of Hawaii

“Out of an abundance of caution, we are taking this step to protect the health and safety of our residents and visitors as this storm continues to develop.”

— Rick Blangiardi, Mayor of Honolulu

What’s next

The National Weather Service and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to the public. Residents and visitors are encouraged to stay informed and heed all warnings, as the risk of flooding and other weather-related incidents remains high.

The takeaway

The back-to-back storm systems have left Hawaii's communities vulnerable, prompting officials to take proactive measures to safeguard public safety. This closure highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and the need for communities to work together to navigate extreme weather events.